I read this book early as part of the publisher’s launch team and what a blessing that was. 2018 was the hardest year of my life (yes, even worse than 2020), so I’m not in the midst of deep grief; however, this book was still helpful in shifting my perspective. If you are a human who has experienced any speed bumps in life along the way, you will resonate with the nuggets of wisdom in this book. If you are in the middle of deep grief and can’t see the way out yet, you will benefit from reading this book. I definitely recommend this book for anyone on a personal development journey, and Rachel’s raw and real writing doesn’t disappoint. (Note: it is most definitely NOT a tell-all of her divorce, so don’t believe everything you read in the comments section of social media posts.) If you liked Rachel’s previous books, you’ll want to read this one too.

I've learned so much from Rachel Hollis over the last couple of years and have become a big fan. I have read her last two New York Times Bestseller books, enjoyed her fiction books, listened to her podcasts, taken her life coaching, incorporated her gratitude journaling practice into my daily routine, and have attended RISE conferences (both in Dallas and virtually). Her personal development teachings have impacted my life both personally and professionally.
I was invited to join her Launch Team and received an advanced copy from the publisher. This book is written from a raw and vulnerable place and I appreciate how Rachel consistently manages to be authentic and humorous in her storytelling and teachings. She drives home that we have to be self-motivated and responsible for our own mindset when we go through hardships and leads by example by sharing the silver linings she found in her dark days. I know 2020 has been a rough year for many and I'm hopeful this book will inspire others and instill them with courage as they're trying to do the next right thing. This book may not resonate with someone if they're not going through loss or hardship, but the fact is, we all do at some point, so the book could be a valuable tool for anyone.
Grab a copy of this book (and a highlighter) and work toward finding happiness and living the life you've dreamed of having. Let this book reignite your flame of greatness and grab hold of the opportunity to be proud that you're able to overcome whatever life throws at you. Then go show others how to move mountains!

Rachel Hollis is back discussing her divorce when she is known for her great relationship with her (ex) husband Dave. Hollis discusses how to deal with her divorce when her brand is built on family and relationships. While she focuses on how to heal herself after divorce, she leaves a lot out. Typically, Hollis is an open book about her life, but here, with the situation being new and raw, she leaves a lot out. It makes sense as she works to establish a new normal. Readers of Hollis's other books may feel this book is lacking. I expect that she will have a follow-up in a few years that will examine the situation better. It is good to read the thoughts of a person going through a divorce if you're experiencing the same situation yourself. People who have already been through it will see the nuance that is lacking but can still learn from Hollis's positive attitude.

I didn't find this book nearly as compelling or motivating as Hollis' previous endeavors. Although generally positive in tone, it seemed to rely too much on shock value of traumatic events in her life, rather than focusing on what came out of them. Hollis relies on shortcuts to relatability (pooping her pants) rather than spending the time to establish a rapport with the reader.

This one was a disappointing departure from previous titles that may leave longtime fans feeling a bit let down. Hopefully her next book gets back on track as she also finds herself coming out of a season of struggle.

Rachel Hollis gives the best advice! I have read all of her books and I think this one was the best one. She's been honest in all of her books, but she was so vulnerable in this one. I am really glad that she wrote this book. I think it would really help many people!

***I was provided a free copy eARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review as part of a launch team by Rachel Hollis***

I am a long time Rachel Hollis follower and have read her previous books & cookbooks. This book, Didn't See That Coming, has a different tone. It is written from a place of pain which i believe was exacerbated by the pandemic.

Rachel writes about grief she has experienced from her childhood and how she has worked all these years to deal with it. She provides stories which the reader can relate to. If you are going through a rough time in your life, it would be worth your time to read this book to help work through all the feelings. She doesn't profess to be an expert, but Rachel is honest about her experiences and how it could help you. Bad things are going to happen, how you react/handle is up to you!

Let me preference my less than favorable review with this...I’m a Rach fan! I’ve attended RISE conferences and read all her books (even the fictions ones)...plus done her online coaching too! Her talks, words and presence helped me through some dark times in my life....But to say this book was special like the last two (GWYF and GSA) would be a lie.
Now don’t get me wrong, if you’ve not bought into Hollis yet, and this is your first read by her...it will be a great read. But for True devotees like myself, it fell a little flat. There were too many of the same examples, same stories, same topics and honestly it didn’t feel any different; felt more like she took favored parts of both her other books and wrote a shorter version - think cliff notes.
Sure there were a few good laughs, but most were from stories I’d already heard. I was truly expecting more about grief, divorce, truly hard things since that’s the period of her life she’s currently in - and so are most of us during these trying times. I needed it to be more raw, especially with such a bold title. It felt to me this was a rush to keep her image and brand alive admits the online criticisms, divorce, and other life events
Though this book wasn’t my favorite, I will continue to support her and her books. Everyone has moments that just don’t come out as planned. I still will look forward to see where life takes her and to see what’s next , but for now I won’t be rereading this like I had GWYF and GSA”

If that title doesn't sum up 2020, I don't know what does. Hollis shares lessons learned and relearned through the ongoing process that is life. Timely for sure, almost too much so.

I have struggled writing this review, as huge fan of Rachel Hollis, I wanted to love this book but I have come to the conclusion, it just isn't for me. If this is your first time reading a Rachel Hollis book or are in the dark depths of heartbreak, this will sooth you and I say read it, get the lessons out of it.. If have read her other books and aren't in a season of heartbreak, I suggest your read or even re-read her other two books and wait for her next book. As someone who had read both of her other books, this is just a condensed version of those books. I look forward to future books by Rachel.

This book was more than I thought it could be. I've seen many people speaking about hearing the same stories, yes her life is the same and was built upon the same stories because this isn't fiction. This is her life. I read so many pages that yes had the same stories we've heard before but from a very new light, new perspective and told from a very different angle. I also read new stories I didn't know or haven't heard and it was so refreshing to read this book. I cried almost the whole way through and so I guess that means that I too am one of the fortunate or unfortunate ones who this quarantine was not my first hardship. However you decide to look at it, if you've been through or are going through a hard time this book is 100% for you and if you've never had to really go through anything terrible then it's probably not for you.

*I received an advanced copy from the publisher.

While there is a lot of good information about coping with different kinds of loss; I think the book was tainted by the author's editing due to her personal devastation in divorce. I have read her other books and felt in those that the information is good but they were too autobiographical. Maybe the books should be classified as autobiographies with a dose of self help instead of self help. Regardless it is always good to see the world from someone else's perspective to keep you accountable for your own opinions.

This is a right on time book with all that has been going on in the world. She speaks truth about her experiences that are very relatable. Definitely a book worth diving into!!!

If you have made it this far into 2020 you need to read this book! We all know 2020 hasn't been an easy year. For Rachel Hollis a divorce is the last thing she expected to happen. She helps readers break out of their darkest of days. I highly recommend reading her first two books, but it isn't necessary to understand this book. This book helps you get back on track even during the darkest of times.

We did, in fact, see it coming

Rachel Hollis is back with a new(ish), unapologetic message of self-love and motivation. In this era of Covid/lockdown/pandemic, her words ring a little hollow sometimes, and the fact that her message was that of an exceptional relationship which led to a recent divorce also rings a bit falsely. diehard fans will enjoy this book as they do all her other material.

I received an ARC for an honest review

Rachel Hollis packs raw honesty and heart into her new book. “ I didn’t see that coming”. The book is broken down into digestible chapters. The end of each chapter she explains what worked for her. I appreciate her candor about her life and how she deals with stress especially during the 2020 pandemic. I find her approach to grief and depression while not new exactly is what I need during this time in my life of personal growth.
“ When we go through something difficult or encounter a big life change it takes courage to move forward in any way. Meaning, in order to move forward you must decide that there is something greater at stake than the way you’re feeling or your fear if feeling pain again.”-Rachel Hollis

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this before it was released.
I know a little about Rachel Hollis. I have never read her first two self-help books, but I started paying attention to her this year. When I saw that her marriage was ending, I felt for her. When I saw this book was coming out, I was stunned. The speed shocked me, but I wanted to give it a try.
Rachel goes into detail about the sadness she has experienced throughout her life. She found her brother dead after he committed suicide, he marriage is ending, and she grew up with a not-so-stellar parent dynamic. She goes into detail about how she has worked to overcome most of these things and what worked for her.
Throughout reading the book, I was never motivated. I felt it was all surface level advice that did not help much. Grief is something most people deal with differently. Sure, there are the 5 stages of grief, but everyone handles each stage differently. Having this book does seem important for people who are struggling, but I just wish the contents inside were more detailed instead of just Rachel's personal stories of how she did something. Rachel is not a psychologist or a therapist, so this is more motivational than anything, but even then, motivating someone to get past their trauma is not a great thing to do. People heal over time, let people mourn in their own way and don't exploit vulnerable people who just want to feel better.
I know this book is going to be raved about, all of Rachel's books are, but I did not like this. I think it is trying to be helpful, but it missed the mark big time.

I am very happy that despite backlash Rachel Hollis decides to write another book because personally I respond to her. I can hear her saying the words and I feel like she is speaking to me and that she is there to help. In this book she concentrates on absolving ourselves of fear. To have the courage to move forward Even in the face of loss. She said so many things I NEEDED to hear and her ideas for ways to cope were brilliant. Plan on starting some today

Having given up on <i>Girl, Wash Your Face</i> 1/4 of the way through, I went into this book (provided to me by NetGalley in advance for my honest review) trying to keep an open mind.

But I couldn’t even make it through the introduction without rolling my eyes at the things Hollis writes, often referring to her readers as “girls” and trying to be witty by asking the Dalai Lama (If he’s reading) to give her a 5 star review.

Though most readers will believe they’re getting an inside look on Hollis’ divorce - spoiler - you’re not. Most of her references are focused on getting through difficult times, struggles in your life and financial hardships. She circles back to her brothers suicide a lot as a point of reference.

I found this book to be a lot of lite advice on moving on (in any way/shape/form) from various instances in your life. Nothing groundbreaking and nothing you couldn’t find yourself by simply doing a bit of Googling.

Didn't See That Coming, Putting Life Back Together When Your World Falls Apart by Rachel Hollis
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, Dey Street Books
Genre: Nonfiction (Adult) | Self-Help
Release Date: September 29, 2020

This was such a hard book to read, but only because the topic was so raw. Rachel Hollis has an incredible way of sharing tools that make sense and that are applicable. I needed this book 5 years ago and I still need it today.

Reading this book opened my eyes to some of the things I have been holding on to in my grief and reminded me that they are holding me back. Thankfully there are tools in the book that will help me re-frame how I look at this and reshape the how in achieving my dream.

"You have been assigned this mountain to show others it can be moved." I truly believe this is true. I believe my struggles are meant to lay an easier path for someone else.

I'm so grateful to Rachel Hollis, Harper Collins Publishers, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook and the opportunity to be part of the book launch team in exchange for my honest review.

I love Rachel Hollis. Her voice is just so down to earth. It's like having a conversation with a friend. This will sell really well. Her fan base is justifiably large and this will just fan the flames. Will hand sell, although the book won't need that much hand selling. Will be on the bestsellers almost immediately.